Wheel.



No. 857,858. PATENTBD JUNE 25, 19o?.

J. W. BARNES, JR.

WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JULYBl, 1905. 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

@Hammett PATENTED JUNE 25. 1907 J. W.l BARNES, JR.

WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED JULYsl. 190,5.

2 SHEETS-'SHEET 2.

@2RM/Limena@ i JUSTUS w. BARNES, JR.,-or'riTTSr1nLD, MASSACHUSETTS.

`Specieation of Letters Patent.

vPatented :fune e5, i907.

Application led July 31, 1905. Serial lilo. 272,086.-

To {1J/'Z whom, zit 11m/,y concern:

Be it known that JUsrUs W. BARNES, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsfield, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful improvements in lVheels;

and I do declarc'the following to beca full,v

' transmitted to the vehicle, so that pneumatic and cushion tires may be dispensed with upon self-propelled and other vehicles.

The above and other objects are attained, by means of the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,--

Figure 1 is a side elevation of m'y improved vehicle wheel, the parts being in section to more clearly illustrate the construction 5 and Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the same. Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view, showing the 'construction of one of the dust guards; Fig. 4 is a detail longitudinal sectional view, 'showing one of the dust guards; Fig. 5 is a detail top plan view of one of the baseplates Fig. 6 is a detail top plan view of one of the top plates.; and Fig. 7 is asimilar View of one of the intermediate plates.

Referring to the drawings by numeral, 1

denotes my improved elastic wheel, 'which comprises a riin 2 and a hub 3 connected by a plurality of radial spokes 4, which latter are in the form of cushion devices for preventing the jar and vibration of the rim from being imparted to the hub and,hence to the ve-4 hicle body. The rim 2, is here shown, as composed of two annular angle metal bands 5, which. have their inwardly-projecting flanges 6 bolted together, as at 7, to forma folly, and their other flanges 8 projecting 1n opposite directions to form the tread or tire of thc wheel. At suitable points' in the ilangcs 6 are formed opposing Semi-circular sockets 9 for the reception of-balls or spheres `lO-provided upon the outer ends of the spokes 4. v A Suitable bushing 1 1 is provided in each of the lsockets 9,` and the latter have their openings I12 slightly flared or tapered 'outwardly to permit the balls or spheres 10 to have a slight movement.

The hub 8 comprises two similar opposing plates or disks 14, 15, the latter of Which is formed with an integral concentrically pro'- jecting sleeve or tube .16 upon which the other plate or disk 14 is mounted. The bore 17 inthe sleeve 16 is adapted to receive the vehicle axle, and the outer end of said sleeve is externally screw-threaded, as at 18, to receive thev clamping Washer 19 and a locking nut 20 which retains the plate or disk 14 in position. The opposing inner faces of the twoplates 14 15, are formed adjacent to the sleeve 1 6 with cc-ncentrieallyedisposed depressions or recesses 21, 2,2, the former of which is circular, and the latter of which is polygonal in form, the number of Sides of the polygonal-shaped recess 22 corresponding to the number of spokes in the' Wheel. These recesses 21, 22, are adapted to receive the friction rollers 23, which are carried bythe inner ends of the spokes 4', as presently eX- plained. 'In the outer portions of the inner faces of the plates or disks 14, 15, are also formed opposing bearing openings 24, which .are circular in form so as to receive similarly.

duced outer end of which is formed one of the balls or spheres 10. The open inner end ofv the outer tube 26 projects into and slides freely in` a cylindrical opening 30 formed in a `guide and bearing block 31, which is pivotally mounted between the disks 14, 15, of the hub-by means of the studs or trunnions 25, which are formed on it at diametricallyl opposite f points. The inner tube 27 of the spoke slides freely within the outer tube 26,

. and has its outer end partly closed by ahead The inner-end of said tube 27 is closed by'a screw plug 33, which has at its end 0p- `positely projecting ,studs or trunnions 34,

upon which are journaled the rollers 23, which project into the recesses 21, 22, in the plates 14, 15, of the hub. The spring 28 has IIO one of its ends bearing against the head 32E-oi' the periphery ci the hub at each oi the spo Each of these guards comprises a base plate 3S, a top plate 39 and an intermediate sliding plate 40, which latter engages the spoke 4,

moving with it and between the plates 38, 39,

as shown. The base plate 38 is of rectangular form and is engaged with the peripheries or edges of the plates 14, 15, of the hub, a

large rectangular opening being provided in it through which the spoke projects.

The intermediate plate 40 has a base portion 41, which slides between the plates 38, 39, a cylindrical portion 42 through which extends the outer tube 26 of the spoke, and an upper annular channel portion 43 of slightly greater diameter than and which surrounds the spoke and is adapted to contain a washer a, of felt -or other material, to, prevent dust from working between said parts and to permit slight angular motionof the spoke in said plate 40. 'Y

The upper plate 39 has its inner portion formed with a channel 44 of approximately cylindrical form, adapted .to receive a felt washer b which is adapted'to keep the dust from between the parts 38 and 40', and the outer portion of the plate 39 is formed with depressions or recesses to receive annular clamping bands 45. The latter surround the hub upon each side and have outer upturned apertured ends clamped together by screw bolts', 46, as shown. y

The construction, operation and advantages oi the invention will be readily understood.

It will be seen that the load upon the hub. will be elastically supported from the upper portion of the rim by reason of the connection of the springs 28 between the sliding sec' tions or members of the spokes. This load -upon the hub will cause it to drop slightly.

" out of the center of the wheel, thereby compressing the springs and also ldeilecting the spokes from the rim to the center of the hub by reason of the action of the' guide blocks 3 1,

which serve as pivots, causingthe inner ends vof the spokes to follow the cams formed by the polygonal faces of the recessf'22, and thereby distributing t the stress among the several spr1ngs. It. will be seen that these cams cause thesprings to pull--the hub into a central position, the inner ends ofy the spokes being free to movev in either direction at right angles to the bore of the hub. A

connected slidable members connected by a spring, and means for distributing the stress among the several springs.

2. wheel comprising a rim having sockets therein, a hub having acam, spoke guides,

spokes consisting i of elastically-connected sliding members, one member of each of said spokes being pivoted in said rim sockets, and one member of eachof said spokes being engaged with the camfuponsaid hub.

3. A wheel comprising a rim having sockets arranged at suitablepoints, a hub consisting of spaced plates, spoke guide blocks pivotally mounted between sa1djplates, spokes consisting of slidable members, one of said members beingslidable in one of said guide blocks and pivotally mounted in one of said rim sockets, the other of said members being engaged with said cam, and a spring connecting said members.

4. A wheel comprising a rim having sockets thereon, a hub consisting of s aced plates, a cam upon said hub, spoke guidl blocks pivotally mounted between said plates, spokes consisting of inner and o uter telescoping tubular members, said outer members being slidable in said guide blocks and having their outer ends pivotally mounted in sald rim` sockets, friction rollers u on the innerends of said inner members and) adapted to engage said cam, and coil springs for elastically connecting said members, substantially as dei scribed.

5. A wheel comprising a rim consisting of vtwo opposing angle metal sections having sockets formed therein at suitable points, a hub consisting of two plates, ,one bein formed with a sleeve to project through the other, means for securing the latter upon said sleeve, said plates being formed on their inner faces with concentrically arranged recesses and with pivot recesses, apertured spoke guide blocks disposed between said plates and formed with trunnions to enter said pivot recesses, spokes consisting of inner and outer .telescoping 'tubular' members, said outer members having their inner ends slidable in the apertures in said 'guide blocks,.balls provided upon the outer ends of said outer members and pivotally mounted in thev sockets in said rim, trunnions upon the inner ends of Y said inner members, friction rollers upon said trunnions and engaging with said concen- `each of said spokes consisting of elastically- Ycoil springs upon said rods for elastieally contrically-arranged recesses' in said plates, l gulde rods extending into said inner ineinbers and secured to said outer members, and

necting said members, substantialbT` as described.

6. In a' wheel, the combination .with a rim, a hub 'and a movable spoke, of a dust guard comprising basel and top plates clam ed upon said hub, .and an intermediate p ate surrounding said .spoke and slidable between said base and top plates,.substantially as described. y

7. In a wheel, the combination with a rim, a hub and movable spoke connecting the saine, of dust guards comprising apertured IleSSGS.

base plates engaging with' the periphery of said hub,'top plates upon Asaid base plates and forniedwith annular grooves to receive a packing', and an intermediate-plateslidable between said base and top plate and having portions to engage said spokes, and annular grooves to receive packing washers, and clamping bands for securing said plates upon said hub, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing vwit- JUSTUS W. BARNES, Jn'. Witnesses:

GEORGE E. HAYNEs,

CHAs. L. JOHNSON. 

